Chapter Two

What HAS my friend been up to lately? wondered Pippa as she strolled along Ponsonby Road en route to brunch with Catriona. I sure hope her life has been more satisfying than the “Stockholm Affair”. She crossed the road, waving cheerfully to Catriona who, as usual, had bagged a sunny spot in the café window. “Those large sunnies look great on you”, commented Pippa, “very Paris Hilton”. “I’m too old to be influenced by her”, Catriona replied, taking them off. Pippa gasped. Her friend was sporting two spectacularly black eyes. “How on earth did you get those?” she squeaked. “Same old story”, winced Catriona, “different protagonist.” “So tell me about this protagonist “said Pippa “have I met him?” Catriona smiled weakly and took a sip of her iced mineral water, “Ashley,” she whispered. “Has he been giving you boxing lessons?” enquired Pippa “Or have you speed-dated all the way to domestic violence? I didn’t even know you’d seen him since the party”. “Blepharoplasty, you idiot” hissed Catriona, “He’s hung up on the fact that his best mate’s better at oculoplastics; he said he needed some practice.” “I think you need to start at the beginning” said Pippa “How did you get to know him well enough to care about his hang-ups?”.

“Guess who?” Two small, soft hands covered Catriona’s recently exposed eyes. The hands were attached to the small but perfectly sculpted muscular body of the Eye Institute’s anaesthetic technician. “Someone’s spent too much time with formaldehyde,” snapped Catriona. “As opposed to under the knife?” Oliver smiled winningly. “And thank you, I will sit down and join you.”“Excellent” said Pippa “ I need to be brought up to speed on the Catriona & Ashley story, and perhaps you can help” “If you’re looking for gossip, darling”drawled Oliver, “I am your man.” ”OK” said Pippa “Gossip and the facts, please”

Catriona abruptly pushed her chair back and stormed out of the cafe. " What do we do now?" asked Oliver.

Chapter One

Catriona scanned the throng at the Eye Institute Christmas party,
hoping for a glimpse of the attractive new eye specialist. It
had been six months since that scene at the altar; she knew it was
time to move on. Her mother had said from the outset that real-estate
agents were bad news, and she was so right; that Coromandel hideaway
was a constant reminder of the emotional and financial pain she had
suffered. What use was a hideaway when you had no-one to hide away with?
Still, Pippa had told her to get back on that proverbial horse and
Pippa was always right.

And suddenly, there he was! Catriona gulped her Penfolds 1992,
grateful that a passing waitress was at hand to replenish her glass.
She caught his gaze, which seared her retina like a solar burn. His
eyes were a deeper blue than Freshlook Royal Blue. "You're a sight
for sore eyes" he murmured, "and about 50 years younger than my
average patient, which is a pleasant change". "Talk like that," Catriona heard
the Penfolds reply, "will get you more than just my referrals." The
amazing blue eyes widened a little. "I think we need to schedule a meeting of
our mutual appreciation society" he said. Catriona moistened her lips. "Ashley,
darling," the cultured tones of Helena Great-Dane interrupted the
flirtation, "Where have you been hiding yourself? You must come and
meet Penelope - she's the new corneal fellow from Manchester" She bore
Ashley away in a cloud of Chanel number 5.

"That damn woman and her damn cleavage" murmured Catriona.
"You talking about me, babe?" a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
"Somehow, Pippa, I don't think so - I always think of you as
flat-chested but fabulous." Catriona smiled at her friend, grateful to
be distracted. "Aaron's a leg man, anyway" Pippa mumbled
through her sushi." "It's the great Dane I was moaning about. I
mean, it would never do for a single male eye specialist to be left to his own
devices, enjoying a pleasant chat with a single female optometrist. So she clearly had to intervene". "What we have here" replied Pippa, "is a class war. You were clearly close to invading enemy, though not hostile, territory. Stick to your own, lass." "Hmmph" said
Catriona" I thought New Zealand was supposed to be a classless society."

Their conversation was interrupted by the loud, deliberate clink of
fork against glass; dinner was served. "Let's play guess the menu"
said Pippa. "I'm guessing buffalo mozarella with parma ham for entree,
with an alternative of witloof & watercress salad for those unfortunates who find protein makes them fat". Catriona's retort never made it past her lips. "Hey," Pippaexclaimed, "Freshlook-Boy and his Oculoplastics side kick are waving us over." "Just for once, Pippa," Catriona hissed as she dragged her to the beckoning men, "think before you open that mouth”. “I have
thought" Pippa protested. "And I think his eyes do look like he wears
Freshlooks". Ashley held out a chair for Catriona. "Hello again" he
murmured."I'm so pleased you're staying for dinner". "It's not the
dinner she's here for" remarked Pippa. "Excuse me?" hissed Catriona.
"Well, by the look of you," drawled the Oculoplastic surgeon, "you're
more Posh spice than Ginger." "I suppose you can't help it" said
Pippa kindly "commenting on women's figures is a sort of
professional necessity". "Xavier's the name," he replied "and you must be Scarey though with a bit of help from me, I could make you Baby." “Hmmm" said Pippa. "I'm tempted to say you're Dopey and you make me Sleepy but perhaps that's a little unfair on someone I've only just met".
"It's a pity I'm into tall, vacuous blondes," responded Xavier, "because
I'm getting to like you." “It’s actually possible for one’s taste’s to change” said Pippa “I don’t suppose you liked asparagus or coffee when you were at primary school.” Respected colleagues" Helena's melodious voice prevented any further intercourse "welcome to our Christmas party"

Pippa allowed her thoughts to wander during the speech. What was she to do about Aaron? Being the girlfriend of a PhD student in Stockholm has its drawbacks, despite him being one of the nicest men on the planet.Maybe Catriona had a point; no normal male could remain faithful surrounded by six-foot blonde godesses. And December in the northern hemisphere with so little daylight would scarcely inspire lots of exercise to take the mid off sex. Still, she'd find out next week. Stockholm would be exciting, no matter what the situation with Aaron.

"What are you thinking about?" Xavier whispered. You aren't engrossed in last year at the Eye Institute are you?" “Actually,” replied Pippa, “My thoughts are on higher things. Scandinavian massages. Interested?” “Actually” said Xavier “I’m very interested. And I even have a massage table at home that my godmother left when she went overseas.” “I’m talking nude bodies, steamy saunas and snow” Pippa hissed, “not some old duck’s creaky table.” “I can’t do snow, since we’re in Auckland and its December” said Xavier calmly “ but if you provide the nude body, I can provide the heat”

“Could you two take your flirtation elsewhere” rebuked Ashley “I can’t hear Helena.” Xavier raised his eyebrows at Pippa and nodded his head towards the door. “Shall we?” “Ashley,”interjected Catriona, “you’re supposed to look at Helena, not listen to her!” “ I can’t even manage a glance with those two wittering” grumbled Ashley. “That might have more to do with your contact lenses; ever considered laser surgery?”questioned Catriona. “He probably hasn’t” said Pippa “since he probably doesn’t know any decent laser surgeons” Xavier’s muffled snort was drowned out by the clatter of cutlery; Helena had finished.

Giant white plates with slices of mozzarella and halved cherry tomatoes marooned in their centres descended on the table. “Hey,” Catriona nudged Pippa, “you were right about the mozzarella. But where’s the posh ham?” "Perhaps it wasn’t as good a year at the Institute as the Great Dane made out – so bringing tomatoes from Pukekohe seemed a more affordable option than ham from Italy" Pippa hypothesized, grinning. “It’s just a pity they cut them in half,” Xavier added, “I always enjoyed the oral explosion.”

Several hours, later having been deposited outside her Mount Albert villa by Helena Great-Dane’s PA, Pippa fumbled for her keys. I’ve been dazzled by a good-looking, rich, entertaining doctor who now has my cell-phone number, she reflected. How likely is it that wisecracks over the mozzarella will be all he amounts to? And what did Catriona see in Dr Serious? She had such bad taste in men maybe she should try the personals? Pippa considered ringing her friend to discuss these weighty matters but decided against it since tomorrow was a work day.

”Good girl,” muttered Ashley when Pippa flicked on the lights. “Full marks for keeping the curtains open.” He adjusted the zoom of his camera as she pulled her camisole over her head. He found himself holding his breath as he squeezed the shutter. “Optical fundamentals,” he thought, “low light, large aperture, long exposure time…..must keep still.”